Fisherman&#39;s tool



Nov. 29, 1960 J. s. FRAME FISHERHANS 'rooz.

Filed Sept. 5. 1958 Jesse 8. Frame INVENTOR- J05? BY @m 15% United States Patent 2,961,670 FISHERMANS TOOL Jesse Frame, Box 874, Paso Robles, Calif. Filed Sept. 5, 1958, Ser. No. 759,175

2 Claims. (Cl. 75.5)

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in fishermens tools and has for its primary object to provide, in a single device, novel means for applying sinkers in the form of split shot to a line, removing the shot, cutting the line when desired and disgorging a hook from the gullet of a fish.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a combination fishermans tool of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combination tool constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through the device;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the device with a sinker in the form of a split shot in position therein ready to be clamped on a line;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the device with a split shot in position therein to be opened for removal from the line;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view, showing the device closed for cutting a line; and

Figure 6 is a side elevational view, showing the hook disgorger in position for use.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a flat, elongated lower jaw 7 and an angulated, elongated upper jaw 8 of suitable resilient metal. The rear or inner end portions of the elongated jaws 7 and 8 are rigidly secured together through the medium of a tubular rivet 9 providing an opening through the medium of which a thong 10 may be connected to the device.

Formed integrally with the forward end of the flat lower jaw 7 is an extension or projection of a reduced width having a socket therein and providing a pocket 11 for the reception of a split shot to be opened, as indicated at 12. Adjacent the pocket 11, the lower jaw 7 is further provided with an opening 13 in which a headed pin or post 14 is rotatably and slidably mounted. On opposite sides of the pocket 11 the forward end of the jaw 7 is formed to provide beveled cutting edges 15.

The forwardly and upwardly inclined forward end portion 16 of the angulated upper jaw terminates at its forward end in a depending blade 17 comprising a substantially wedge-shaped or tapered shot opening and cutting edge 18. Adjacent the blade 17, the forward end portion 16 of the upper jaw 8 is further provided with an opening 19 which accommodates the post 14.

A lever cam 20 is pivotally mounted for swinging movement on the upper end portion of the post 14 and operatively engaged with the forward end portion 16 of the jaw 8. The operating member 20 comprises a bandle 21 havingformed integrally with one end thereof a cam 22, said cam 22 having formed therein an opening 23 defining a pin 24 which is journalled in an inwardly and upwardly extending, angular notch or recess 25 in the upper portion of the post 14. Thus, the lever cam 20 is pivotally and removably secured on the post 14 in engagement with the jaw 8. The construction and arrangement of parts also is such that the post 14 is caused to rotate when the lever cam 20 is swung from the position of Figure 2 of the drawing to the position of Figure 6 of said drawing.

The cam 22 has formed therebeneath a pocket 26 which is opposed to a similar pocket 27 in the jaw 8. The opposed, complemental pockets 26 and 27 are for the reception of a split shot to be clamped on a line, as indicated at 28. At its other or free end the handle 21 terminates in a hook disgorging fork 29.

It is thought that the use of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, to clamp a split shot on a fishing line the lever cam 20 is swung upwardly and forwardly to open position as seen in Figure 3 of the drawing. The split shot 28 is then placed in the opposed pockets 26 and 27 where it is clamped between the elements 22 and 16. When the lever cam 20 is thus swung upwardly and forwardly the angulated upper jaw 8 is tensioned for yieldingly urging said lever cam in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 3 of the drawing. The line 30 is then engaged in the split shot 28. The lever cam 20 is then swung rearwardly and downwardly toward closed position for closing the split shot 28 and clamping the same on the line 30 in an obvious manner. To remove the shot from the line when desired, said shot is inserted in the pocket 11 with the split therein aligned with the edge 18 of the blade 17. The lever cam 20 is then swung rearwardly and downwardly toward closed position for closing the jaws 8 and 7, forcing the substantially wedgeshaped or tapered edge 18 of the blade 17 into the split in the shot for opening said shot. To cut the line at any desired point said line is positioned across either of the beveled cutting edges 15 in the manner suggested in Figure 5 of the drawing. The lever cam 20 is then actuated for closing the jaws 8 and 7 thus engaging the edge 18 of the blade 17 with the line for severing the same in conjunction with the respective cutting edge 15. To remove a hook, as indicated at 31 in Figure 6 of the drawing, the handle 21 is swung laterally and forwardly in a manner to constitute an extension of the device, the members 7, 8, etc., now functioning as a handle. When the handle 21 is thus swung forwardly the post 14 turns therewith. When the device is not inuse the handle 21 is swung upwardly, rearwardly and downwardly on the upper jaw 8 from the position of Figure 6 of the drawmg.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A fishermans tool comprising: a pair of elongated, resilient, forwardly diverging upper and lower jaws having their rear end portions secured together, a post on the lower jaw extending through the upper jaw, a pocket on the lower jaw for the reception of a split shot, a blade on the upper jaw engageable with the shot for opening the same, and a lever cam pivotally mounted on the post for closing the jaws, said lever cam and said upper jaw having opposed pockets therein for the reception of a split shot for closing and clamping the same on a fishing line simultaneously with the opening of the first named shot when the jaws are closed.

2. A fishermans tool comprising: a,pair of elongated, resilient, forwardly diverging upper and lower jawshaving their rear end portions secured. togethenapost on the lower jaw extending through the upper jaw, cutting edges on the lower jaw, a blade on the upper jaw e0- operable with the cutting edges for severin'g a. fishing line, and a lever cam pivotally mounted on the post for closing the jaws, said lever cam and said upper jaw hav- 4 ing opposed pockets thereir iorreception of a split shot for closing and clamping the same on a line simultaneously with the severing of the first named line when the jaws are closed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 860,975 Havell July 23, 1907 1,836,557 Seymoure Dec. 15, 1931 10 2,571,819 Boel et a1. Oct. 16, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,021,657 France Dec. 3, 1952 

